After Sukhoi, Prez's day out at sea in aircraft carrier Viraat

Mumbai, Dec 23 (PTI) After touching skies in an Indian
Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi fighter jet, Indian President Pratibha
Patil Wednesday experienced her first 'day at sea' when she
went on board the country's lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

And the 74-year-old Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
utilised the opportunity to pep up the Navy and other
stake-holders in the maritime arena saluting them for playing
a proactive role to prevent a recurrence of Mumbai-type terror
attack.
"The Navy and others are playing a proactive role to
bring about synergy and establish standard operating
procedures to prevent recurrence of such attacks," the
President said, addressing Navy personnel aboard the carrier
off Mumbai coast after spending nearly three hours in the
warship which completed 50 years of service this year.
"Terror attacks last year in Mumbai are a grim reminder
of the harm that can be perpetuated through the use of the sea
route by elements inimical to India," said Patil, clad in a
blue coloured saree and sporting a naval cap,
"The nation reposes implicit faith in the capability and
capacity of our maritime forces to protect our sea frontiers
and to provide a peaceful environment for maritime trade and
other activities," the President, who was flown to the
carrier, said.
The President on arrival inspected a guard of honour and
witnessed steam-past by warships and submarines and also a fly
past by Sea King helicopters and Sea Harrier aircraft. Navy
chief Admiral Nirmal Verma was also present.
Pratibha became the first woman to fly in a Sukhoi Su-30
jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Lohegaon Air Base in
Pune November 25 last. (MORE) PTI VT
ANU


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